CDCR officer killed while helping at traffic accident

California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Lieutenant Anthony Gentile died doing what he had devoted his life to doing – keeping the public safe.

Lt. Gentile, 42, was on his way to work at the California Health Care Facility, Stockton, about 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7 when he came upon a multiple-vehicle accident on Mariposa Road southwest of Stockton. Several other drivers were injured.

When Lt. Gentile saw that no law enforcement officers had yet arrived at the scene, he pulled over and began directing traffic around the accident, to ensure no one else would be injured.

According to authorities, he was struck and killed by a passing truck. The driver reported that he did not see Lt. Gentile.

“This is a tremendous loss for the CDCR family,” said Secretary Jeff Beard. “Lt. Gentile dedicated his career and his life to keeping others safe. On behalf of all of us at CDCR, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his family, his friends, and his colleagues.”

Lt. Gentile began his career with CDCR as a Correctional Officer at the Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center in Galt. He then served at Folsom State Prison until his promotion to Correctional Sergeant in 2001, which took him to Mule Creek State Prison in Ione.

In 2007, he returned to Folsom State Prison as a Correctional Lieutenant. He moved to the California Health Care Facility last year to help with the activation.

A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento, 1017 11th Street, Sacramento. A reception, immediately after the Funeral Mass, will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elk Grove.

15 Comments

Sharon Lee
on Friday, October 18, 2013 at 5:13 am

One of the most caring and thoughtful individuals I’ve ever known.You are missed at CHCF. Rest in peace … partner, brother and friend.

The word is the same for those who knew this awesome gentleman. He lived as he passed, with a genuine heart to always go out of his way to help someone else. May the God of Peace surround his family and those affected by his loss and see the Glory of God in his passing. My prayers are with you all. He is taken care of now.

Met Tony at the academy we graduated at the same time. As always his sense of humor was with him wherever he went and he brought smiles to a lot of us … RIP Tony my prayers to your family for strength in your honor. You will be missed watch over us all left behind.